Doha: Former players have expressed confidence in the Qatar national football team’s ability to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as the team prepares to begin its campaign in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers against Oman next Wednesday at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.
According to Qatar News Agency, six Asian teams are set to compete for the two remaining World Cup spots as the Asian play-offs approach. The teams have been divided into two groups: Group A includes Qatar, the UAE, and Oman, while Group B features Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia. The winner of each group will qualify directly for the finals, joining the six Asian sides that have already secured their places.
Former national team player Hassan Matar emphasized the importance of victory in the opening match against Oman, which he believes is crucial for Qatar to take its first major step toward qualification. Matar highlighted that the national team did not perform to its usual standard during the third round, missing an early chance to qualify due to inconsistent results. However, he sees the current stage as an ideal opportunity for the team to realign its efforts, especially with matches being hosted in Doha.
Matar stressed that experience will be vital in these matches, requiring determination, tactical discipline, and a strong fighting spirit. He pointed out that a positive result in the opening match would provide a significant boost ahead of the decisive encounter against the UAE on October 14.
Abdulaziz Hassan, another former Qatari international, expressed confidence in the players’ ability to handle high-pressure matches. He added that playing in Doha before a passionate home crowd will inspire the team to deliver a strong performance, recovering from the previous round’s disappointment. Hassan highlighted the attacking talents of Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, and Edmilson as key players capable of making the difference in crucial moments.
Hassan noted that the levels of Qatar, Oman, and the UAE are relatively close, suggesting evenly matched chances of qualification. He warned that Qatar must avoid dropping points, particularly in the opening fixture against Oman, which he described as pivotal on the road to the World Cup finals.
Hassan Al Otaibi, another former national team player, emphasized the need for determination and focus to secure victories in both fourth-round matches. Al Otaibi described the opening match against Oman as particularly challenging yet decisive, noting that opening fixtures in qualifiers are always the most demanding.
Al Otaibi mentioned the importance of experience, as Qatar has faced both Oman and the UAE multiple times in recent years. He compared the Asian play-offs to knockout matches that leave no room for error, highlighting victory as the only path to qualification.
Al Otaibi also underscored the need for the technical staff, led by Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, to find effective attacking solutions while maintaining defensive balance. He concluded by emphasizing the significance of selecting the right starting lineup to achieve desired results and allow the team to impose its playing style on opponents.
The fourth-round matches of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in a single-round league format, with the Qatar Football Association hosting Group A fixtures and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation hosting Group B matches. The Qatar national team, crowned Asian champions in 2019 and 2023, aims to reach the World Cup finals for the second time in its history, following its debut appearance as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.